C++ - How do I insert multiple values into a vector, each with a different index?

Question

Currently I have a vector holding references to all the rooms connected to a specific room:

rooms.at(1).connectedRooms = { &rooms.at(2), &rooms.at(3), &rooms.at(4), &rooms.at(5)};

However I would like to use my enum as the index, rather than an integer, so instead of rooms.at(1).connectedRooms.at(0) I would use rooms.at(1).connectedRooms.at(NORTH) which makes much more sense and also allows it to be used more easily and legibly in switch statements.

The enum looks like

enum directions { NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, WEST};

Is there a way to do this on one line, for example (this code doesn't work, but it's what I would like to do):

rooms.at(1).connectedRooms[NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, WEST] = {&rooms.at(2), &rooms.at(3), &rooms.at(4), &rooms.at(5)};

Rather than the much longer

rooms.at(1).connectedRooms[NORTH] = &rooms.at(2);
rooms.at(1).connectedRooms[EAST] = &rooms.at(3);
rooms.at(1).connectedRooms[SOUTH] = &rooms.at(4);
rooms.at(1).connectedRooms[WEST] = &rooms.at(5);

Thanks

Answer 1

You can assign integer values to your enum constants:

enum directions { NORTH = 0, EAST = 1, SOUTH = 2, WEST = 3 };

and then you keep the assignment as is:

rooms.at(1).connectedRooms = { &rooms.at(2), &rooms.at(3), &rooms.at(4), &rooms.at(5)};

EDIT: as per the comment below, please be aware that the way you are holding pointers to vector members is VERY dangerous and is not considered good practice. Remember that an std::vector is dynamic, so it may decide to change the location of its memory area anytime it needs to, such as when it grows...

Answer 2

Assuming that you will keep your enums and room values defined in that order, you can try this approach:

auto& vec = rooms.at(1).connectedRooms;
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
{
    vec[i] = &rooms.at(i + 2);
}